System for dispensing cooled liquids



Jan. 29; 1935. P. 1.. B E'rz El AL 1,939,395

SYSTEI FOR DISPENSING COOLED LIQUIDS Filed March 10. 1934 ,2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 29, 1935. P, L. B512 El. Al.

sys'rzn FOR msmmsme COOLED LIQUIDS Filed March 10. 1934' a sh eetssheet z Patented Jan. 29, loss OFFICE.

SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING COOLED/ mourns Paul L. M. Baltimore, Md., and Sebastian Karrer, Washington, D. 0., assignors to Con- .solidated Gas Electric Light and Power Company oi Baltimore, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application March 10, 1934, Serial No. 715,006

This invention relates to systems for dispensing cooled liquids, and more particularly to systems of this character for dispensing cooled beverages,

such as beer.

Storage systems, as for beer, as heretofore proposed have consisted of two main types; in one of these the beer passes through a coil which is cooled by a water or a refrigerant bath which must have such volume and capacity that at the normal rate of removal of the liquid the proper dispensing temperature is maintained; in the. other type an instantaneous cooler'is used and has a coil of. small volume which cools the beer by reason of direct contact between the coil and a liquid refrigerant. This latter type of system,

which is possessed of many recognizedadvantages is also possessed of several disadvantagea'among which may be noted:

The dispensing of the cold beer is at all times dependent upon the refrigerating unit being "in service, as it involves no provision for storing cold beer or cooling arrv beer except what is flowing to the tap. This fact requires that extra facilities be maintained to promptly service the refrigeratingsystem whenever any trouble arises. Furthermore, the capacity of the refrigerating equipment must be large enough to handle the peakdispensing load which may last for only a small portion of the day, while during the remainder of the time the refrigerating system is operating below its rated capacity.

Itis an object of this invention to provide a dispensing system using an instantaneous type of cooler which overcomes the disadvantages above referred to. 1

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized wherein the new and warm beverage may be cooled as soon as it is received and then stored in its cooled condition before it is dispensed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized which permits the warm beverage to be passed a plurality of device when such is times through, the cooling found necessary or desirable.

1 Another object of this invention is to provlde'a device of the type characterized which provides for the storage of precooled beverage so that it may be dispensed at a rate in excess of that at which it is cooled to the end that a smaller cooling system may be employed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized which affords a supply of cooled beverage so that if the refrigeratingjsystem goes out of service the dispensin may continue for a. substantial period of time,

thereby allowing for the servicing of the refrigcrating system without the expense incident to the maintenance of immediate service as heretofore required.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized which effects economies because the cooling may becarried out under highly eflicient conditions and by use of a. relatively small instantaneous cooler.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type characterized which is simple in construction, easy to install and manipulate, and highly emcient in operation.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, one of which is shown on the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed-as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose. I

In the drawinga I v Fig. 1 illustrates somewhat schematically a system embodying the present invention, such as would be suitable for beer; and

Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of a Stated broadly, the'system and method of the present invention involves the passing of the warm beer through an instantaneous cooler to a heat-insulated storage receptacle at a rate at which the cooling can be effected economically and efllciently. From-said storage receptacle the cooled beer preferably repasses through the instantaneous cooler on its way to the tap when it is to be dispensed whereby, if not sufilciently cold by reason of its temperature rising from "standing in the storage receptacle, the beer may be brought to thepredetermined dispensing temperature by the second passage through the instantaneouscooler. If desired, the beer maybe passed back and forth between 'the original re- 'ceptacle and the storage receptacle a plurality of times, and the passagefrom one receptacle 'to the other can be carried out under conditions which prevent foaming of the beer. The passage .of the beer from the supply to the storage receptacle can be efiected by siphoning or by pres-- sure, but the preferred procedure is to utilize pressure to prime the system and than norm": the

use in'the dispensing of combined vent valve and gauge that may be used in the system;

cally and may be so controlled as to the rate vso sure, say fifteen pounds.

of flow that the desired cooling action is obtained under conditions of high efliciency.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 1 designates a supply receptacle and 2 designates a storage receptacle, and each may be of any suitable size, shape, construction and material. Receptacle 2 is heat insulated in any suitable way and is preferably disposed at a lower level than receptacle 1 for the reasons hereinafter explained.

Receptacle 1 is provided with a tap 3 of any suitable construction from which leads a supply line 4, in which a shut-off valve 5 may be provided if desired. Supply line 4leads to an instantaneous cooler generally designated 6 and which may be of any suitable construction, being schematically indicated as comprising a bath of liquid refrigerant 7 containing a coil 8 which communicates with the supply line 4 at one end and with a second line 9, preferably heat insulated, leading to a tap 10 of any suitable construction at the storage receptacle 2. A shut-off valve 11- may also be provided in line 9 if desired.

Communicating with the taps 3 and 10, respectively, are pressure lines 12 and 13 leading from any suitable source of supply of air, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas under pressure, generally indicated at 14. Said source of supply communicates with said pressure lines 12 and 13 through pressure line 15, containing a check valve 16, and a manifold, generally designated 17, which includes manually operable shut-off valves 18 and 19 and manually operable vent valves 20 and 21 in the pressure lines 12 and 13, respectively.

Leading from the supply line 4 between the receptacle 1 and the instantaneous cooler 6 is a pipe 22 extending to a tap 23 of any suitable character and construction. A shut-ofi valve 24 is provided in the supply line between the receptaclel and the tap line 22;

The supply of pressure gas may be equipped with a pressure regulator of any suitable character so as to maintain a predetermined pres- With valves 18 and 19 open and valves 20 and 21 closed, the pressure in the system is equalized at the'pressure on the gas.

,By manipulation of said valves said pressure can be applied to the liquid in either or both of the storage receptacle and the supply receptaclej Assume that the supply receptacle 1 is full of new and relatively warm beer, and that it is desired to initiate the flow of beer from the supply receptacle 1 through the instantaneous cooler 6, to the storage receptacle 2. Valve 18 remains open and vent valve 20 remains closed. Valve 19 is closed, and pressure is vented from the storage receptacle 2 by means of vent valve 21. Itis necessary that the difference in pressure between the gas in the supply receptacle 1 and the gas in storage receptacle 2 be at least equal to the hydrostatic pressure necessary to lift beer from, the level of the liquid in the supply receptacle 1 to the highest point in the circuit between the supply and storage receptacles, 1 and 2, respectively.

be necessary, in order to initiate the flow from receptacle 1 to receptacle 2, that the pressure in line 13 be reduced to 10 lbs. (above atmospheric pressure). In this manner, beer is forced from the supply receptacle 1 through the supply line 4, to the coil 8 of the instantaneous cooler, and thence through line 9 to the storage receptacle 2. The beer will continue to flow as long as the pressure in the supply receptacle 1 exceeds that .in the storage receptacle 2. If it is desired to cause the beer to flow from the storage receptacle 2 to the supply receptacle 1, the position of the valves 18, 19, 20 and 21 can be reversed, and the beer will flow from the storage receptacle 2, to the supply receptacle 1 when the proper pressure relations are established. Thus the beer may be passed back and forth between said receptacles as many times as desired.

When it is desired to dispense the beer, valve 24 is closed and with valve 19 open and valve 21 closed the cool stored beer is forced through the line 9 and instantaneous cooler 6 to tap 23, the cooler now compensating for any increase in tem perature that may have arisen through lapse of time and heat leakage after the beer was stored in receptacle 2.

The method outlined above for the transference of beer from the supply to the storage receptacle or from the storage to the supply re ceptacle is based upon forcing the beer to the desired receptacle by means of gas pressure. It is desirable, however, for reasons of economy and ease of operation, to cause the beer to flow from the supply to the storage receptacles by means of a siphoning action after the system has been primed 'so that a siphon can be maintained, as is the case when enough beer is in the storage receptacle 2 to cover the inlet thereto and when the lines 4 and 9 are filled with beer, it beingassumed that valves 18 and 19 are open andvalves 20 and 21 are closed so that the pressure on the system is equalized. This siphoning will cease as soon as the level of the liquid in the two receptacles is the same. If beer is to be dispensed during siphoning the valve 24 is closed and the dispensing occurs as above explained. When dispensing is stopped, the siphoning action may be resumed upon merely opening the valve 24.

Referring again to the example used above, in which the gas pressure is regulated at 15 lbs. per square inch, and the hydrostatic pressure necessary to lift the beer, from the level of receptacles 1 and 2 to the high point of the system, is assumed to be 5 lbs. per square inch, it is seen that the following condition may arise: The beer in receptacle 1 has in solution, gas. in equilibrium at 15 'lbs. pressure, while the pressure on the beer at come out of the beer because of the reduced pres-- sure, and the rate of evolution of gas may be so rapid under certain conditions of temperature and pressure that the siphon may be broken. To prevent this, a float operated valve 25 as shown in Fig. 2 maybe installed in the supply line 4 to automatically vent the evolved gas. The float valve, indicated generally at 25, comprises a float 26 which operates a needle valve 27 to ventthe gases that collect in the valve chamber 29. Beer enters the device at 28, and flows into chamber 29 through inlet 33, causing the vent valve to close under the action of the float 26. As the beer flows through the device, evolved gas collects in chamber 29 above the surface of the beer, and

1 tinuously.

as the amount of evolved gas increases, the liquid in chamber 291s displaced until valve 27 opens and releases thecollected gas. permits the liquid level in chamber 29 to rise, thereby closing valve 27.- In this manner, the evolved gas is vented and the siphoning action is maintained con- Fig. 2 shows incorporated with the float op- I erated venting valve a sight gauge for visually determining the direction and rate of flow of beer throughthe system. The beer passage from the inlet 28 to the outlet 31 is provided with a window 32 which is so constructed that it is liquidtight. Behind window 32 and across the beer passage from 28 to 31 is a pivotally mounted vane 30 which is deflected by the flow of beer. The deflection of vane 30 is a measure of the rateat whichbeeris flowing through'thesystem. If it is desired, a window may also be provided behind vane 30 to increase the ease of observing the vane. The combination sight gauge and float valve should be installed at "the high point of the system, and the piping communicating with .the

cooler 6 may be so arranged with respect thereto that valve 25 is outside of and somewhat above said cooler. Whenthe beer is returned from receptacle 2 to receptacle '1 for a further cooling action care should be exercised to prevent overfilling receptacle 1, with a consequent discharge of beer through valve 20. Also, if siphoning is desired and the beer is forced back into receptacle 1 for additional cooling action, care should be exercised to prevent the beer in receptacle 2 uncovering the inlet thereto, as otherwise the pressure gas will enter the lines and prevent the returnsiphoning action unless the lines are first filled with liquidv as above explained.

The rate at which the beer flows !rom the supply to the storage receptacles-during siphoning is dependent upon thedifierence in level between the liquids iii-the two receptacles. It is desirable that'the rate of flow be low so that a relatively small refrigerating system may be employed. In fact, the rate of siphohing can frequently be re-' .ducedto from ,4 to of the peak rate of dis-- pensing. The rate of siphoning can be controlled by throttling the valve 24 or by throttling the valves in the pressure line. Having regard for the effect of the'difference in liquid'level on the rate of siphoning, the relative levels of the two receptacles 1 and2 can be considerably varied.

- The preferred arrangement is one wherein the bottom of the supply receptacle 1 is at the level of the top of the storage receptacle/2 so that the supply receptacle can be completely emptied while the storage receptacle is yet relatively full. Bypreference, the valve used for-throttling the rate of siphoning is graduated so as to provide for various rates of flow.

Valves 18 and 29 may be painted the same color and valves 19 and 21 may be painted the same color but a different color from valves 18 and 20 so that the valves of the respective lines can be easily distinguished, although if preferred any other suitable form of indicating means may be used. J

It will therefore be perceived that by the present invention the beer may be adequately'cooled and then stored in condition for dispensing and if the. refrigerating system fails'there is an ade- .quatesupply of cooled beer o that immediate servicing may notbenecessary. At the same time the refrigerating system may be ofappreciably lower capacity than that necessary for the rate of Therefore the system can dispense liquids at varyingrates but with a prederesumed as soon as the valve 24 is opened after ,some of the liquid has been dispensed from receptacle 2'. However, if preferred, the transfer of liquid from one receptacle to the other can be controlled entirely sure gas.

Moreover, it will be observed that the system by the application of the pres of the present invention is'simple inconstruction,

inexpensive to manufacture, install and'inaintain, and highly emcient in operation.-

While the embodiment illustrated on the draw- I v ,ings has been described with considerable particularity, it isto be expressly understood that the invention is not restricted thereto, as the same is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical.

expressions, some of which will now readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, while changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement and proportion of parts, and various other forms of receptacles, coolers, valves, etc., may be used, and certain features may be used without other features, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system.

the combination of a supply receptacle, a heat-insulated storage receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from the supply receptacle to the storage receptacle, a dispensing -tap,- andconduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap whereby said liquid flows through said cooling unit when flowing both to-and from said storage receptacle. 2. In a liquid cooling and'dispensing system,

the combination of a supply receptacle, a heat- ,ins'ulated storage receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is from the supply receptacle to'the storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, and conduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap, said dispensing 'tap being connected to said conduits between said supply receptacle and said cooling unit whereby said liquid flows into heat interchanging relation with said unit'both on its way to said storage receptacle, and on its way from said storage receptacle to said tan.

3. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system,

the combination of a supply 'receptacld'a h'eatinsulated storage receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from the supply receptacle to the storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, conduits connecting'said" receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap. gas pressure lines connectedto each of said re.-

ceptacles, and shut-off and vent valves in each Q of said lines whereby the, liquid may beforoed from either receptacle to the other and the liquid cooled/bypassing through said cooling unit at each passage from one receptacle to the other.

4. In a, liquid cooling and dispensing system,

the combination ofa supply receptacle, a heatthe combination of a supply receptacle, a heatinsulated storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, an instantaneous cooling unit of capacity lower than the capacity of said tap, a conduit connecting said supply receptacle with said cooling unit, conduits connecting said storage receptacle with said cooling unit and said tap whereby the liquid is first cooled by flowing through said cooling unit at a relatively slow rate as compared with the capacityof said tapand then after storage in saidstorage receptacle dispensed from the latter through said tap, said tap being connected to said first named conduit whereby the liquid passes a second time through said cooling unit when it is dispensed, and a valve to prevent direct flow from said supply receptacle to said tap. 6. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system, the combination of a supply receptacle, a heat-insulated storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, an instantaneous cooling unit of capacity lower than the capacity of said tap, a conduit connecting said supply receptacle with said cooling unit, conduits connecting said storage receptacle with said cooling unit and said'tap whereby the liquid is first cooled by flowing through said cooling unit at a relatively slow rate as compared with the capacity of said tap and then after storage in said storage receptacle dispensed from the latter through said tap, gas pressure lines connected to each of said receptacles, and shut-off and vent valves in each of said pressure lines whereby said liquid may be forced from either receptacle into the other.- I

7. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system, the combination of a supply receptacle, a heatinsulated storage receptacle at a lower level than said supply receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, conduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap, a gas pressure system for filling said conduits and forcing the liquid from said storage receptacle to said tap, and valve means in said system operable to permit siphoning of said liquid from said-supply receptacle through said cooling unit to said storage receptacle.

8. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system, the combination of a supply receptacle, a heat-insulated storage receptacle at a lower level than said supply receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, conduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap, a gas pres-' sure system for filling said conduits and forcing theliquid from said storage receptacle to said tap, valve means in said system operable to perznit siphoning of said liquid from said supply receptacle through said cooling unit to said storage receptacle, and valve means to control the rate of siphoning flow through said cooling unit.

9. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system,

the combination of a supply receptacle, a heatinsulated storage receptacle at alower level than said supply receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, conduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap, and means for setting up a siphoning action from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle whereby said liquid is cooled by flow through said cooling unit to said storage receptacle at a rate determined by the rate of dispensing from said storage receptacle.

10. Ina liquid cooling and dispensing system, the combination of a supply receptacle, a heatinsulated storage receptacle at a lower level than said supply receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, conduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap, and a gas pressure system connected to said receptacles whereby said system is operable to transfer said liquid from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle by either pressure flow or siphoning action.

11. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system, the combination of a supply receptacle, 'a heatinsulated storage receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a conduit connecting said supply receptacle with said unit, a dispensing tap connected to said conduit, valve means in said conduit between said supply receptacle and the connection to said tap, a conduit connecting said cooling unit with said storage receptacle, a source of gas under pressure, pressure lines leading therefrom to each of said receptacles, and shut-oil and vent valves in each of said pressure lines.

12. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system, the combination of a supply receptacle, a heatinsulated storage receptacle at a lower level than said supply receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from said. supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a conduit connecting said supply receptacle with said unit, a dispensing tap connected to said conduit, valve means insaid conduit between said supply receptacle and the connection to said tap, a conduit connecting said cooling unit with said storage receptacle, a source of gas under pressure, pressure lines leading therefrom to each of said receptacles, and shut-off and vent valves in each of said pressure lines operable to effect the transfer of the liquid from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle by either pressure flow or siphoning action. 7

13. In a liquid cooling :and dispensing system, the combination of a supply receptacle, a heatinsulated storage receptacle at a lower level'than said supply receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, conduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap, means for setting up a siphoning action from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, and an automatically operated vent at the high point of said conduits for preventing accumulation of gas from interrupting said siphoning action.

pensing tap, conduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap, means for setting up a siphoning action from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a valve casing in communication with the high point of said conduits, said casing being provided with a vent and a float operated valve in said casing for controlling said vent.

15. In a liquid cooling and dispensing system,

the combination of a supply receptacle, a heatinsulated storage receptacle at a lower level than saidsupply receptacle, an instantaneous cooling unit through which the liquid is passed from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle, a dispensing tap, conduits connecting said receptacles with said cooling unit and said tap, a gas pres-- sure system connected to said receptacles whereby said system is operable to transfer said liquid from said supply receptacle to said storage receptacle by either pressureflow orsiphoning action, and means in the conduits connecting said receptacles for visually indicating the direction 1 and relative rate oi flow of said liquid.

PAUL L. BETZ.

TIAN KARE-ER. 

